Check if the chat is still in your Instagram inbox or archived requests
Search the username in Instagram Direct
Log in to the same Instagram account used before
Check if the chat was deleted or only archived
Use Instagram’s Download Your Information feature
Go to Instagram Settings
Open Accounts Center
Select Your information and permissions
Choose Download your information
Request a copy of your Instagram data
Download and open the file when ready
Look for messages in the downloaded data
Check linked Facebook Messenger if accounts were connected
Ask the other person to resend the conversation
Restore from a phone backup if Instagram data was saved there
Update the Instagram app to the latest version
Reinstall the app and log in again
Contact Instagram Support if the chat cannot be found